Burnout killed me; I adrift beside her and I posted the question,

"Don’t you get neurotic during your competitions?"

‘V’ didn’t look at me; she stared afar the blue, clear waters and said,

"No! In fact never not ever did I became nervous." I was aghast!

I was quiet for 60 seconds then queried why. She initiates explaining "There is no sense of feeling tensed when the competition you should focus about is YOU! It doesn’t mean when you are in a competition you literally get competitive; you want to overthrow everybody. NO! Why would you parallel yourself with others when you it is nature how different you are from them. Everyone of you don’t have the similarities; Each of you has his/her own capabilities. Comparing and asserting that they are enemies is false approach to gaining the throne. You are only causing yourself to breakdown into insecurities, which in turn slashes you into defeat. All your efforts and struggle will be wasted and this is devastating, isn’t it? When your attitude is manifested from your opponent’s distinction then you are only squashing yourself beneath the earth; you are pushing yourself believing you can never make it because of what excuse? That there are a lot better than you! Yes, there’s no escape there are a lot, even hundreds, thousands who are better than you nevertheless there’s no denial that you can also be better and YOU WILL once you take it easy! In any form of competition you ought to be COOL. It is not about the prize of fame; it is about the prize of experience that counts in every competition. From these compiled experiences you are becoming stronger and stepping higher."

To follow up I asked,

"What if I condition my mind the wrong way? I mean, it’s normal for people to feel negative anyhow."

She smiled and replied with prestigious wisdom, which further boiled me refinement.

"True, we commit mistakes; we are all only human, right? Yet, you can control the manner you think thus you can change the outcome that will unravel you. You can avoid any negative vibes that may overpower you."

Not convinced, I added,

"What if I commit mistakes or anything that I might hate and regret?"

She laughed and said,

"Again, we are only human and mistakes are ingoing and outgoing. But, the moment you decide on a final choice that you can actually DO IT then whatever happens next you will never plant any hatred or remorse. Why? For you are already THE ONE who told yourself that YOU CAN!"

Still, since mistakes are inevitable might as well learn from them and only learn; never do the same error twice.

"In life, once is enough considering that you get to live a day once; repeating events can either be overrated or unappreciated. It is more likable to take over risks and to explore varieties life can offer."

Anyway, I really wanted to have some time-out in training and drag my coach for a heart-to-heart talk. It’s not I am visualizing I won’t be succeeding in my first-ever swimming competition. I just needed more guidance and I knew I would have to inherit all of it from the expert.Finale, she reminded me: I should play my independent game, mind what I am best at and belong to what is mine. Everything starts and ends solely in me. I am my gift and it is up to me keeping or losing it.

At the time, I stand by the ledge, knees halfway bended and hands in torpedo over my head all ready to hit the goal, I should only look straight forward and not bother glancing sidewards. By then, she tells I shall assure myself that there is nobody around but me, nobody on top but me!

"You just need to set your mind that you are your competition and no other! Impress nobody but yourself! You are under your own time therefore beat nothing but your time! Outshine only you!"